18.4 Molecular Evolution Flashcard

Front

What is the role of Hox genes in development?

Back

Hox genes are a group of related genes that control the body plan of an embryo along the head-tail axis. They determine the identity and positioning of body parts during development.

Front

What happens if a Hox gene is activated at the wrong time?

Back

If a Hox gene is activated at the wrong time, it can lead to the development of body parts in incorrect locations, such as legs developing in the abdomen instead of the thorax.

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How do mutations in Hox genes affect vertebrate evolution?

Back

Mutations in Hox genes can lead to variations in vertebral organization, contributing to the diversity of vertebrate forms as they adapt to different environments.

Front

What is the significance of mutation rate in evolutionary biology?

Back

The mutation rate is significant because it helps scientists estimate the time since two species diverged from a common ancestor based on the number of mutations accumulated.

Front

What is the relationship between genetic separation and mutation accumulation?

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The longer two lineages have been genetically separate, the more mutations they are likely to accumulate, which can be used to infer the time of divergence.

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What data is most useful for determining the time of divergence between two species?

Back

The most useful data includes the mutation rate and the number of nucleotides that differ between the two sequences.

Front

Define 'embryological development'.

Back

Embryological development is the process by which the embryo forms and develops, involving cell division, differentiation, and morphogenesis.

Front

What is a common consequence of Hox gene mutations in insects?

Back

A common consequence is the alteration of body part development, such as the formation of legs in inappropriate body segments.

Front

Explain the concept of 'common ancestor' in evolutionary biology.

Back

A common ancestor refers to a species from which two or more species have evolved. It is a key concept in understanding evolutionary relationships.

Front

What is the function of the Ubx gene in insects?

Back

The Ubx gene is a Hox gene that plays a crucial role in determining the development of legs in the abdomen of insects.